Controller and portable electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A controller (portable electronic apparatus) includes a housing and a key provided for protruding and retreating movement on the housing. The housing has a front face, a rear face, and a side face for connecting the front face and the rear face to each other. The key has a body having one end inserted in an opening formed in the side face and the other end exposed to the outside of the housing, and an extension extending along the side face from the other end of the body to the outside farther than an end edge of the opening. With the controller (portable electronic apparatus), the area of the face of the key which is exposed to the outside of the housing, that is, the area of the face which opposes to a finger of a user, can be increased. Therefore, at whichever position the face is depressed, the key can be inputted and the contact area with the finger can be increased.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2009-008269,filed Jan. 16, 2009, and No. 2009-117057, filed May 13, 2009 areexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a controller and a portable electronicapparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

A controller connected to a game machine of the stationary type, a PC(Personal Computer) and so forth is known. Further, a personal digitalassistant wherein a terminal equipment for processing predeterminedinformation and a controller are integrated is known. Such controllersas mentioned above have a plurality of keys disposed thereon for beingoperated for inputting. However, since a controller is frequentlygrasped by both hands of a user when it is used, the number andarrangement of keys for inputting are inevitably restricted. On a frontface of such a controller as described above, a direction key which isdepressed by the thumb of the left hand is frequently disposed on theleft side while a plurality of independent keys which are depressed bythe thumb of the right hand are disposed on the right side.

In recent years, a large number of applications for games for whichcomplicated inputting operations are required have been developed, andit is demanded to increase keys to be disposed on a controller. In orderto satisfy such a demand as just described, a portable electronicapparatus is known wherein a pair of keys are disposed on an upper facewhen a controller is grasped (refer to, for example, Published U.S.Patent Application No. 2005/0247550: hereinafter referred to as Document1).

The portable electronic apparatus disclosed in Document 1 has a frontface and a rear face and a side face which connects the front and rearfaces to each other. The portable electronic apparatus includes keysdisposed at the opposite left and right ends of the side face, that is,the upper face, which is positioned on the upper side when the apparatusis grasped, such that they are operated for inputting principally by theleft and right forefingers. Each of the keys is configured such that itengages at one end thereof with a receiving portion extending along theupper surface of a housing while it engages at the other end thereofwith another receiving portion formed on a side face of a housingpositioned in the proximity of the key.

More particularly, locking means for engaging with the receiving portionon the upper surface side of the housing is provided at the one end ofthe key. The locking means engages with the receiving portion torestrict the key from being let off upwardly and serves as a fulcrumwhen the key is pivoted by being depressed at the other end sidethereof. Meanwhile, different locking means for engaging with thereceiving portion on the side surface side of the housing is provided atthe other end of the key. The latter locking means similarly restrictsletting off of the key and serves as a fulcrum when the key is pivotedby being depressed at the one end thereof.

Such a key as described above is configured such that, at whicheverposition of the one end side, the other end side and a central portionthe key is depressed, it can electrically connect a conducing memberdisposed below the key and a switch contact to each other.

However, since the size of the hands of a user who grasps the controllervaries much depending upon the age, sex and so forth, a controller isdemanded on which an inputting operation can be carried out readily andwith certainty without depending upon the position of the hands,particularly of the fingers, when the controller is grasped. Also ademand for reduction of the thickness and size of the housing isincreasing in order to improve the portability and so forth. However, ifthe size of the housing is reduced, then the depression position of thekeys varies depending upon the manner in which the user holds thecontroller, the size of the hands or fingers of the user and likefactors. Therefore, it is demanded to provide a configuration whichallows detection of an inputting operation of a key by causing the keyto be protruded and retracted appropriately at whichever position thekey is depressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to provide a controller and a portable electronicapparatus which can achieve improved operability and can achievereduction in thickness and size thereof and besides allows a key thereofto be operated for inputting with certainty.

In order to attain the object described above, according to anembodiment of the present invention, there is provided a controllerincluding a housing, and a key provided for protruding and retreatingmovement on the housing. The housing has a front face, a rear face, anda side face for connecting the front face and the rear face to eachother. The key has a body having one end inserted in an opening formedin the side face and the other end exposed to the outside of thehousing, and an extension extending along the side face from the otherend of the body to the outside farther than an end edge of the opening.

Here, the controller preferably has a size with which it can be graspedat least with one hand.

With the controller, since the key provided thereon has the extensionextending along the side face from the other end of the body, having oneend inserted in the opening formed on the side face, to the outsidefarther than an end edge of the opening, the area of the face of the keywhich is exposed to the outside of the housing, that is, the area of theface which opposes to a finger of a user, can be increased.Consequently, in comparison with an alternative key which does not havethe extension, the area over which the key can be depressed (area withwhich a finger can contact) can be expanded. Further, since the contactarea when a finger contacts can be increased, the key can be depressedwith certainty and hence inputting of the key can be carried out withcertainty. Accordingly, the operability of the controller can beimproved.

Further, since the extension is formed such that it extends to the outerside farther than the end edge of the opening, in comparison with analternative case wherein the opening is formed in an increased size anda key corresponding to the opening area of the opening is disposed, thethicknesswise dimension of the housing can be reduced. Accordingly,reduction in thickness of the controller can be anticipated.

In order to achieve miniaturization, a controller and a personal digitalassistance sometimes adopt a configuration called clamshell type whereintwo housings placed one on the other are combined for opening andclosing movement or another configuration called slide type wherein suchtwo housings are combined for sliding movement relative to each other.Where a key is provided at each of the left and right corners of a faceon the depthwise direction side of one of the housings in suchconfigurations as described above which is grasped by the user, astructure with which the keys can be operated without interference withthe other housing is demanded.

With the controller of the present invention, if the extension directionof the extension is not a direction in which it approaches the otherhousing mentioned above (for example, if the direction is a direction inwhich the extension is spaced away from the other housing), thenotherwise possible interference between the key and the other housingcan be prevented and also interference between fingers by which the keysare operated and the other housing can be suppressed. Accordingly, inthis instance, the operability of the controller can be furtherimproved.

Preferably, the controller is configured such that the key has a bodyformed in a transversely elongated configuration elongated in a firstdirection, and a first stem positioned on one end side of the body inthe first direction and extending along a third direction which issubstantially perpendicular to the first direction and a seconddirection which is a protruding direction of the key from the housing,and the housing has a biasing member for biasing the key in the seconddirection, and a first restricting portion positioned on the seconddirection side with respect to the first stem for engaging with thefirst stem biased by the biasing member, one of the key and the housinghas a second stem positioned on the other end side of the firstdirection and extending in the third direction while the other of thekey and the housing has a guide portion which sandwiches an end of thesecond stem for guiding movement of the second stem in the seconddirection and a second restricting portion for engaging with the secondstem biased by the biasing member.

It is to be noted that the dimension of the key in the first directionwhich is the longitudinal direction may be set to such a dimension that,when the key is depressed at one end thereof in the first direction by afinger of a user, not the entire key is retracted into the housing butthe key is pivoted around the other end side, whereupon the one end sideof the key is retracted into the housing. Such a dimension as justdescribed may be, for example, equal to or greater than a dimension fromthe finger tip to the first joint (distal interphalangeal joint).

With the controller, where the key is not depressed, movement of thefirst stem in the second direction by the biasing force of the biasingmember is restricted by the first restricting portion and the secondrestricting portion. Therefore, letting off of the key from the housingcan be prevented.

Meanwhile, where the key is depressed at a substantially central portionof the body thereof in the first direction (longitudinal direction), thekey is guided by the guide portion and the second stem and is retractedinto the housing along the depression direction against the biasingforce of the biasing member. Thereupon, since the guide portionsandwiches the end of the second stem, rocking motion of the key in thefirst direction upon retraction of the key can be suppressed.

On the other hand, where the key is depressed on the one end side of thebody thereof in the first direction, the key is pivoted in thedepression direction around the second stem which is engaged by thesecond restricting portion biased by the biasing member. Also where thekey is depressed at the other end side of the body thereof in the firstdirection, the key is pivoted in the depression direction around thefirst stem which is engaged by the first restricting portion biasedsimilarly. Also upon such pivotal motion of the key, since movement ofthe second stem in the first direction is restricted by the guideportion, rocking motion of the key in the first direction uponretraction of the key can be suppressed.

Therefore, at whichever position the key is depressed, rocking motion ofthe key in the first direction in response to movement of the key can besuppressed. Further, since the second stem is sandwiched by the guideportion, displacement of the end of the key on the side on which thesecond stem is positioned upon pivotal motion of the key does not occur,and therefore, there is no necessity to form a large clearance betweenthe end of the key and the housing. Consequently, miniaturization of thecontroller can be anticipated.

Further, since the key carries out movement or pivotal motion in thedepression direction in response to the depression position, there is nonecessity to provide a long guide along which the entire key moves inthe depression direction at whichever position the key is depressed.Therefore, miniaturization of the controller can be anticipated.

Accordingly, at whichever position the key is depressed, inputting ofthe key can be carried out with certainty and besides miniaturization ofthe controller can be anticipated.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a portable electronic apparatus including the controllerdescribed above.

With the portable electronic apparatus, similar effects to those whichare achieved by the controller described above can be achieved. Further,since operation of the key is stabilized, the key can be inputted withcertainty, and the portable electronic apparatus of the configurationdescribed can achieve miniaturization.

With the present invention, the controller can be improved inoperability and can achieve reduction in thickness thereof. Further,since rocking motion of the key upon depression can be suppressed,operation of the key can be stabilized and besides miniaturization canbe achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views of a portable electronic apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed fromthe front side;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the upper side;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the lower side;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the left side;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the right side;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the rear side;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a partial vertical section of the portableelectronic apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a key of the portable electronicapparatus as viewed from the rear side;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the key and an installation section ofthe portable electronic apparatus as viewed from the front side;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the key and the installation section ofthe portable electronic apparatus as viewed from the rear side;

FIG. 12 is a view of the key and the installation section of theportable electronic apparatus as viewed from the rear side;

FIG. 13 is a view of the key and the installation section of theportable electronic apparatus as viewed from the rear side with aholding member removed;

FIG. 14 is a view of the key of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the rear side when the key is depressed at a substantiallycentral portion thereof;

FIG. 15 is a view of the key of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the rear side when the key is depressed at a left portionthereof;

FIG. 16 is a view of the key of the portable electronic apparatus asviewed from the rear side when the key is depressed at a right portionthereof;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a contact substrate of the portable electronicapparatus; and

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a contact substrate of a portableelectronic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 1. First Embodiment

In the following, a first embodiment of the present invention isdescribed with reference to the drawings.

Appearance Configuration of the Portable Electronic Apparatus

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views of a portable electronic apparatus 1 accordingto the present embodiment as viewed from the front side. Particularly,FIG. 2 is a view of the portable electronic apparatus 1 in a statewherein a front case 21 of the portable electronic apparatus 1 isslidably moved upwardly with respect to a rear case 22 from a positionthereof shown in FIG. 1.

The portable electronic apparatus 1 according to the present embodimentcorresponds to a controller and a portable electronic apparatus of thepresent invention and processes programs and data stored in a storagemedium such as a memory card loaded therein and programs and dataacquired through communication with an external apparatus such as aserver. For example, the portable electronic apparatus 1 processes gameprograms, image data and sound data. Such a portable electronicapparatus 1 as just described includes an armor case 2 and a terminalbody 3 (FIG. 8) accommodated in the armor case 2 for executing theprocess described above as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The armor case 2 includes the front case 21 positioned on this side(front side) to a user who grasps the portable electronic apparatus 1and the rear case 22 positioned on the rear side of the front case 21.The rear case 22 corresponds to a housing.

Where the front case 21 and the rear case 22 are individually viewedfrom the front side (the side opposing to the user), they have asubstantially oval shape formed from a rectangle elongated in theleftward and rightward direction (leftward and rightward direction inFIGS. 1 and 2) and swollen arcuately at the opposite left and right endedges thereof. The rear case 22 is formed a little larger than the frontcase 21. More particularly, the rear case 22 includes a framework member220 made of a metal and covering an outer edge thereof adjacent thefront case 21, and the rear case 22 is greater than the front case 21 bya dimension equal to the dimension of the framework member 220. Thecases 21 and 22 are individually formed in a substantially flattenedconfiguration, and one of the cases 21 and 22 is slidably movable in theupward and downward directions with respect to the other of the cases 21and 22. It is to be noted that, although the cases 21 and 22 are made ofa synthetic resin, they may otherwise be formed from a metal.

An upper face 21B (FIG. 3), a lower face 21C (FIG. 4), a left side face21D (FIG. 5) and a right side face 21E (FIG. 6) of the front case 21 areinclined (curved) in a direction in which they approach the center ofthe front case 21 toward the direction away from the rear case 22.Therefore, the front case 21 is formed in a substantially trapezoidalshape as viewed in vertical section and transverse section as seen inFIGS. 3 to 6.

Configuration of the Front Portion

A display 211 accommodated in the front case 21 and formed from a liquidcrystal panel is disposed substantially at the center of a front face21A of the front case 21 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. A translucent section21A1 is formed in a region of the front case 21 corresponding to thedisplay 211. Therefore, the user would observe an image displayed on thedisplay 211 through the translucent section 21A1. It is to be noted thatthe display 211 may be formed using some other display means such as anorganic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel or the like in place of theliquid crystal panel.

A pair of sound outputting holes 21A2 are formed at locations of thefront case 21 on the left and right sides with respect to thetranslucent section 21A1 such that sound from a speaker (not shown)accommodated in the front case 21 is outputted therethrough.

A pair of left and right indicators 21A3 and 21A4 are disposed above thesound outputting holes 21A2. Of the indicators 21A3 and 21A4, the leftside indicator 21A3 indicates a communication state by a radio modulehereinafter described while the right side indicator 21A4 indicates acommunication state by the Bluetooth (register trademark) of theterminal body 3. Each of the indicators 21A3 and 21A4 is formed from anLED (Light Emitting Diode).

Meanwhile, a key 21A5 which can be depressed in a direction toward theinterior is provided on the left side with respect to the front face 21Aand below the left side sound outputting holes 21A2. This key 21A5 is a“HOME” key for changing over a program being executed.

In a region of a front face 22A of the rear case 22 which is exposedwhen the front case 21 is slidably moved upwardly with respect to therear case 22, a direction key 22A1 which can input eight directions ofupward, downward, leftward and rightward directions and obliquedirections is disposed at a left portion and four keys 22A2 positionedat the apexes of a diamond shape are disposed at a right portion as seenin FIG. 2. Further, an analog device 22A3 mounted for sliding movementalong the front face 22A for detecting the direction of sliding movementis disposed at a left portion in such a manner as to be sandwichedbetween the direction key 22A1 and the keys 22A2, and a pair ofsemicircular keys 22A4 and 22A5 are disposed at a right portion suchthat they are juxtaposed upwardly and downwardly. The keys 22A4 and 22A5are a “SELECT” key and a “START” key which are used during execution ofa game program or the like.

Further, at a left side end of the front face 22A, an attachment hole22A6 to which a strap (not shown) is to be attached is formed. Theattachment hole 22A6 is formed in the framework member 220 describedhereinabove.

Furthermore, a pair of indicators 22A7 and 22A8 are disposed at theopposite left and right ends of the front face 22A and substantially atthe center in the upward and downward direction. Of the indicators 22A7and 22A8, the left side indicator 22A7 indicates a reading/recordingstate of data from/into a memory card (not shown) loaded in the terminalbody 3 through a fitting hole 22D1 (FIG. 5) hereinafter described, andthe right side indicator 22A8 indicates an on/off state of a powersupply to the portable electronic apparatus 1. Both of the indicators22A7 and 22A8 are formed from an LED. As seen in FIG. 1, the indicators22A7 and 22A8 are disposed at positions of the front face 22A at whichthey do not overlap with the front case 21. Therefore, even in a statewherein the front case 21 and the rear case 22 are placed one on theother, a lighting state of the indicators 22A7 and 22A8 can beconfirmed.

Configuration of the Upper Face

FIG. 3 is a view of the portable electronic apparatus 1 as viewed fromabove.

A pair of LR keys 23 are disposed at the opposite ends in the leftwardand rightward direction of an upper face 22B of the rear case 22 as seenin FIG. 3 (the left side one of the LR keys 23 on the upper face 22B isdenoted by 23L and the right side one of the LR keys 23 on the upperface 228 is denoted by 23R). The keys 23L and 23R are formed in asubstantially L shape such that they extend at one portion thereof alongthe upper face 22B and at the other portion thereof along a left sideface 22D and a right side face 22E, respectively. In other words, thekeys 23L and 23R are disposed such that they extend between and over theupper face 22B and the left and right side faces 22D and 22E,respectively.

Further, a pair of sound volume adjustment keys 22B1 for adjusting thesound volume of sound to be outputted from the speaker describedhereinabove are provided substantially at the center of the upper face22B. Furthermore, keys 22B2 and 2283 are provided between the key 23Land one of the sound volume adjustment keys 22B1 and between the otherone of the sound volume adjustment keys 22B1 and the key 23R,respectively.

Further, the upper face 22B has an opening 22B4 (FIGS. 7 and 8) and anoffset portion 22B5 formed at a left end thereof. The key 231, isinserted at one end thereof in an opening 22B4, and the opening 22B4 isformed so as to extend to the left side face 22D. The offset portion22B5 is formed in conformity with the opening 22B4 and positioned on therear face side with respect to the opening 22B4. The upper face 22B hasanother opening 22B4 (FIGS. 7 and 8) and another offset portion 22B5formed similarly at a right end thereof. The key 23R is inserted at oneend thereof in another opening 22B4 similarly, and the opening 22B4 isformed so as to extend to the right side face 22E similarly. The offsetportion 22B5 is formed in conformity with the opening 22B4 similarly andpositioned on the rear face side with respect to the opening 22B4. It isto be noted that the keys 23L and 23R, openings 22B4 and offset portions22B5 are hereinafter described.

Configuration of the Lower Face

FIG. 4 is a view of the portable electronic apparatus 1 as viewed frombelow.

A terminal 22C1 formed from an earphone jack for the connection to aheadphone is provided at a left portion of a lower face 22C of the rearcase 22 as seen in FIG. 4, and a terminal 22C2 for the connection to acradle (not shown) as an external apparatus is provided at a rightportion of the lower face 22C of the rear case 22. Such lower face 22Cand lower face 21C as described above are each formed in a substantiallyflattened configuration.

It is to be noted that a positional relationship between the lower endof the lower face 21C and the lower face 22C is hereinafter described indetail.

Configuration of the Left Side Face

FIG. 5 is a view of the portable electronic apparatus 1 as viewed fromthe left side.

An upper end of the left side face 22D of the rear case 22 is coveredwith part of the key 23L described hereinabove. The fitting hole 22D1for inserting and removing a memory card (not shown) therethrough isformed at an upper portion of the left side face 22D. A cover 22D2 forclosing the fitting hole 22D1 is attached to the fitting hole 22D1. Inaddition, a key 22D3 is provided for sliding movement along the leftside face 22D at a lower portion of the left side face 22D. This key22D3 is provided to change over a radio module, which the terminal body3 (FIG. 8) has, between on and off states.

It is to be noted that, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of the lowerface 21C which is inclined in a direction in which it approaches thecenter as the distance from the rear case 22 increases is positioned alittle higher by an amount corresponding to the framework member 220described hereinabove with respect to the lower face 22C of the rearcase 22 which extends substantially perpendicularly to a rear face 21Fof the front case 21. Therefore, if a finger placed on the lower face22C is moved toward the front case 21 side, then it can engage with thelower face 21C and can slidably move the lower face 21C and hence thefront case 21 upwardly with ease.

Configuration of the Right Side Face

FIG. 6 is a view of the portable electronic apparatus 1 as viewed fromthe right side. It is to be noted that, in FIG. 6, the front case 21 isat a position slidably moved upwardly with respect to the rear case 22.

An upper end of the right side face 22E of the rear case 22 is coveredwith part of the key 23R described hereinabove similarly to the leftside face 22D. A power supply key 22E1 provided for sliding movementalong the right side face 22E is disposed at a lower portion of theright side face 22E. If the power supply key 22E1 is slidably movedupwardly, then the power supply of the portable electronic apparatus 1is turned on, but if the power supply key 22E1 is slidably movedupwardly again, then the power supply is turned off. Further, if thepower supply key 22E1 is slidably moved downwardly, a hold state whereinan input of any other key is canceled can be switchably established.

Configuration of the Back Rear Section

FIG. 7 is a view of the portable electronic apparatus 1 as viewed fromthe rear side where the front case 21 is in a state slidably movedupwardly with respect to the rear case 22.

The rear face 21F of the front case 21 is concave toward the inner sideso that it does not push the keys 22A1 to 22A4 disposed on the frontface 22A of the rear case 22. An accommodation section 21F1 in which acircuit board (not shown) for slidably moving the display 211 describedhereinabove is accommodated is formed substantially at the center of therear face 21F. This circuit board is electrically connected to theterminal body 3 (FIG. 8) accommodated in the rear case 22 such that thedisplay 211 is driven in response to an image signal outputted from theterminal body 3 to display an image in accordance with the image signal.

A pair of leg portions 22F1 are provided leftwardly and rightwardlysubstantially at the center of a rear face 22F of the rear case 22. Thepaired leg portions 22F1 are formed from substantially arcuate syntheticresin members opposing to each other. Where the portable electronicapparatus 1 is disposed such that the rear face 22F is opposed to theinstallation face, the leg portions 22F1 prevent the rear face of thearmor case 2 from directly contacting with the installation face andmake it easy for the user to grasp the portable electronic apparatus 1readily.

More particularly, when the portable electronic apparatus 1 is to begrasped, the left and right forefingers would be positioned so as toengage with the upper face 22B and the side faces 22D and 22E while theleft and right middle and third fingers are positioned so as to engagewith the rear face 22F. Thereupon, since the leg portions 22F1 of asubstantially arcuate shape described hereinabove are providedsubstantially at the center of the rear face 22F such that they projectfrom the rear face 22F, the leg portions 22F1 can be engaged by fingertips of the middle and third fingers. Consequently, a holding feelingwhen the portable electronic apparatus 1 is grasped can be provided tothe user, and the easiness in holding and the stability upon graspingcan be improved.

Disposition Positions of the LR Keys

The LR keys 23 (23L and 23R) are provided at the opposite left and rightends of the upper face 22B, respectively, as described above. A pair ofopenings 22B4 into each of which one end of a body 231 hereinafterdescribed of each key 23 is to be inserted are formed at the oppositeleft and right ends of the upper face 22B as seen in FIG. 7. Theopenings 22B4 partly extend to the side faces 22D and 22E proximate tothe openings 22B4 as described hereinabove.

A pair of offset portions 22B5 which are concave toward the inner sideof the rear case 22 are formed on the rear surface side with respect tothe openings 22B4 in accordance with the positions of the openings 22B4as described hereinabove. Upper ends of the offset portions 22B5 arepositioned lower than the upper face 22B on which the sound volumeadjustment key 22B1 and so forth described hereinabove are disposed andthe side faces 22D and 22E (positioned at positions rather near to thecenter of the rear case 22). The upper end faces of the offset portions22B5 are covered with extensions 232 hereinafter described of the keys23L and 23R.

Configuration of the LR Keys

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing part of the portableelectronic apparatus 1 (particularly the key 23L).

As shown in FIG. 8, the key 23L presses, through a rubber contact 34, acontact substrate 33 electrically connected to a control substrate 31through an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 32, which control substrate 31composes the terminal body 3 accommodated in the rear case 22. Inparticular, if the key 23L is depressed by a user, then a flexible legportion 341 of the rubber contact 34 with which the key 23L engages atone end thereof buckles in the depression direction of the key 23L and apressing portion 342 provided on the inner side of the leg portion 341presses the contact substrate 33. Consequently, contacts 332 and 333(refer to FIG. 17) which compose the contact substrate 33 areelectrically connected to each other and an electric signal representingthat the key 23L is depressed is outputted to the control substrate 31.

On the other hand, if the depression of the key 23L is canceled, the key23L is pushed up releasing the buckled state of the leg portion 341, andthen the state illustrated in FIG. 8 is restored. In particular, therubber contact 34 functions also as a biasing member for biasing the key23L in a direction in which it pushes up the key 23L.

It is to be noted that the rubber contact 34 is secured to the contactsubstrate 33, and the contact substrate 33 is secured to a pedestal 43formed in the rear case 22. Further, the control substrate 31 is securedto the rear case 22 by a fixing member not shown.

The opening 22B4 in which such a key 23L as described above is fitted isopen to the upper face 22B such that it includes the center of the rearcase 22 in the thicknesswise direction (leftward and rightward directionin FIG. 8). It is to be noted that, in the present embodiment, theposition of the center of the opening 22B4 in the thicknesswisedirection is set substantially to the center of the rear case 22 in thethicknesswise direction.

Further, the dimension of the opening 22B4 in the thicknesswisedirection is smaller than the dimension of the rear case 22 in thethicknesswise direction, and more particularly, is set to a dimensionsmaller than ½ (in the present embodiment, to approximately ⅓) thedimension of the rear case 22 in the thicknesswise direction. In otherwords, the dimension of the opening 22B4 in the thicknesswise directionsubstantially coincides with the dimension to the upper end face of theoffset portion 22B5 in the thicknesswise direction and is set toapproximately ½ the dimension of an upper face 23A hereinafter describedof the key 23L in the thicknesswise direction.

Meanwhile, an end face 22B6 of the opening 22B4 on the front side whichforms an end edge of the opening 22B4 (end face 22B6 on the rear side ofthe framework member 220) is a flat face, and the end face 22B6 servesas a guide face for protruding and retreating movement of the key 23Lfitted in the opening 22B4. More particularly, a lower end of the endface 22B6 (a lower end in FIG. 8) substantially coincides with the lowerend of a face 231A hereinafter described of the key 23L, and thedimension of the end face 22B6 in the heightwise direction (dimension inthe upward and downward direction in FIG. 8) is set in accordance withthe dimension of the face 231A in the upward and downward direction.Consequently, protruding and retreating movements of the key 23L arecarried out appropriately under the guidance of the end face 22B6. It isto be noted that, although details are hereinafter described, in thepresent embodiment, the end face 22B6 is formed a little smaller thanthe face 231A, and consequently, the upper face 23A of the key 23Lprojects upwardly farther than the upper face 22B (upper face of theframework member 220).

Such a key 23L as described above has a body 231 and a extension 232extending from the body 231 such that the key 23L is formed in asubstantially L shape as viewed in cross section.

The body 231 is a member which is fitted at a lower end thereof in theopening 22B4 and is exposed at an upper end thereof to the outside ofthe rear case 22 and is protruded and retracted from and into the rearcase 22 upon depression of the key 23L. Since the opening 22B4 in whichthe body 231 is fitted has the center substantially at the center of theupper face 22B in the thicknesswise direction as described above, andthe body 231 is disposed substantially at the center of the upper face22B in the thicknesswise direction. The face 231A on the front side ofthe body 231 is formed flat, and the protruding and retreating movementsof the key 23L are guided by the end face 22B6 opposing to the face 231Aon the front side. The dimension of the body 231 in the thicknesswisedirection is set to a dimension equal to the difference of a smallclearance from the dimension of the opening 22B4 in the thicknesswisedirection described hereinabove.

A pressing portion 233 for pressing the rubber contact 34 describedhereinabove is formed at a lower end of the body 231. A hole 2331 to befitted by a protrusion 343 of the rubber contact 34 formed at a positioncorresponding to the pressing portion 342 is formed on the pressingportion 233, and the key 23L and the rubber contact 34 are connected toeach other thereby. Further, the pressing portion 233 has a protrusion2332 formed thereon such that it projects from the pressing portion 233toward the rear face side. A tip end of the protrusion 2332 ispositioned on the rear face side with respect to an end edge of theopening 22B4 in order to prevent letting off of the key 23L to theoutside of the opening 22B4. Accordingly, the tip end is positioned onthe front face side with respect to a tip end of the extension 232 inits extension direction. Consequently, the protruding and retreatingmovements of the key 23L can be prevented from being disturbed byengagement with the inner face of the rear face 22F or the like and thedimension of the rear case 22 in the thicknesswise direction can be madesmall.

It is to be noted that the upper end face of the protrusion 2332 isinclined with respect to the body 231 and the lower end face of theprotrusion 2332 extends substantially perpendicularly to the body 231.Therefore, the protrusion 2332 has a tapering shape such that thedimension thereof in the upward and downward direction decreases towardthe protruding direction.

The extension 232 is formed such that it extends to the rear face sidealong the upper face 22B from an end of the body 231 remote from thepressing portion 233 and covers the upper end face of the offset portion22B5. The extension dimension of the extension 232 from the body 231 isgreater than the dimension of the opening 22B4 in the thicknesswisedirection described hereinabove. An end of the extension 232 on the tipend side of the body 231 in the extension direction is positioned on thefront face 22A side with respect to the rear face 22F. In other words,the end is formed such that it does not contact with the installationsurface when the portable electronic apparatus 1 is disposed such thatthe leg portions 22F1 contact with the installation surface.

Meanwhile, the lower face 232A of the extension 232 is a face extendingsubstantially in a rectangular direction to the face of the body 231 onthe rear face side. Further, the lower face 232A has a shape conformingto the upper face of the offset portion 22B5 to which the lower face232A is opposed and the end edge of the opening 22B4, and the lower face232A and the upper face of the offset portion 22B5 extend substantiallyin parallel to each other. Therefore, the offset portion 22B5 does notdisturb the retreating movement of the key 23L upon depression, and theprotruding and retreating movements of the key 23L can be carried outappropriately.

Such an upper face 23A of the key 23L as described above is formed froman upper face of the body 231 and an upper face of the extension 232which is contiguous to the upper face of the body 231. The upper face23A with which a finger of the user touches is positioned on the outerside (upwardly) with respect to the upper face 22B. However, the upperface 23A is inclined in a direction in which it approaches the upperface 22B (offset portion 22B5) toward the rear face side. Therefore, theupper face 23A has a substantially curved face shape extending along theupper face 21B of the front case 21 in a state wherein the cases 21 and22 are placed one on the other (state illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5).

While such an upper face 23A as described above is formed in an inclinedrelationship to the body 231, the lower face 232A extends substantiallyperpendicularly to the body 231 as described hereinabove. Therefore, theextension 232 has a tapering shape such that the dimension thereof inthe upward and downward direction decreases toward the tip end in theextension direction.

Further, the dimension of the upper face 23A in the thicknesswisedirection is set greater than the dimension of the opening 22B4 in thethicknesswise direction. More particularly, the dimension of the upperface 23A in the thicknesswise direction is set so as to substantiallycoincide with a dimension of the sum of the dimensions of the opening22B4 and the offset portion 22B5 in the thicknesswise direction.Therefore, the dimension of the upper face 23A in the thicknesswisedirection is equal to substantially twice the dimension of the opening22B4 in the thicknesswise direction, and the area of the upper face 23Acan be increased in comparison with an alternative case wherein a key onwhich the extension 232 is not formed is used, and the area over whichthe lower face 232A is engaged by a finger of the user can be expanded.

Further, since the extension direction of the extension 232 is therearward direction and the opening 22B4 is open including the center ofthe upper face 22B in the thicknesswise direction and besides thedimension of the opening 22B4 in the thicknesswise direction is smallerthan ½ the dimension of the rear case 22 in the thicknesswise direction(in the present embodiment, approximately ⅓), a clearance by thedimension of the upper face 22B on the front face side (dimension of theframework member 220 in the thicknesswise direction) is assured betweenthe key 23L and the front case 21. With the configuration justdescribed, interference of a finger when it operates (depresses) the key23L with the front case 21 can be suppressed. Accordingly, theoperability of the key 23L can be improved.

It is to be noted that also the key 23R and a control substrate fordetecting an input of the key 23R, an FPC, a contact substrate and arubber contact have similar configurations to those described above.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the key 23L as viewed from the rear faceside.

Details of the key 23L will be described.

The key 23L includes the above-described body 231, extension 232 andpressing portion 233 as described hereinabove and further includes stems234 and 235 and a protrusion 236 as shown in FIG. 9. The key 23L isformed as a unitary molded part made of a synthetic resin and having agenerally transversely elongated shape elongated in the leftward andrightward directions (an S1 direction and a reverse direction to the S1direction in FIG. 9 indicating the leftward direction and a firstdirection in the present invention) and having a substantially L shapeas viewed in front elevation and vertical section. Therefore, when thekey 23L is placed on a receiving portion 4 hereinafter described, theupper face 23A described hereinabove is formed from a face 23A1extending along the upper face 22B and a face 23A2 extending along theleft side face 22D. The faces 23A1 and 23A2 correspond to a first faceand a second face in the present invention, respectively.

The stem 234 corresponds to a second stem in the present invention, andthe stem 235 corresponds to a first stem in the present invention. Thestems 234 and 235 are individually formed in a substantially cylindricalshape and positioned such that the pressing portion 233 describedhereinabove are interposed therebetween. The stems 234 and 235 projectto the front face side and the rear face side from the opposite left andright ends of the body 231. The stems 234 and 235 extend alongdirections (an S3 direction indicating the direction toward the rearface side and a reverse direction to the S3 direction in FIG. 9, and athird direction in the present invention) individually perpendicular tothe leftward and rightward direction (first direction in the presentinvention) and the upward direction (S2 direction in FIG. 9, and asecond direction in the present invention) which is the protrudingdirection of the key 23L when the key 23L is placed on the receivingportion 4 hereinafter described of the rear case 22.

Of the elements mentioned above, the stem 234 formed on the right sideserves as a pivot shaft for the key 23L when the key 23L is depressed ata left portion thereof.

Meanwhile, the stem 235 formed on the left side serves as a pivot shaftfor the key 23L when the key 23L is depressed at a right portionthereof. It is to be noted that such pivotal motion of the key 23L ishereinafter described in detail.

The protrusion 236 is formed on the further outer side with respect tothe stern 235 (on the side away from the stem 234) such that it projectsdownwardly from the body 231. Such a protrusion 236 as just described isengaged, when the key 23L is depressed at a right side (stem 234 side)end thereof, with the rear case 22 (inner face of the left side face22D) to prevent unnecessary pivotal motion of the key 23L and besidesprevents the inside of the rear case 22 from being visually observedthrough the opening 22B4.

Configuration of the Receiving Portion

FIGS. 10 to 13 are views showing the key 23L and the receiving portion 4on which the key 23L is placed. In particular, FIGS. 10 and 11 areperspective views of the key 23L and the receiving portion 4 as viewedfrom the front face side and the rear face side, respectively, and FIG.12 is a view of the key 23L and the receiving portion 4 as viewed fromthe rear face side. Further, FIG. 13 is a view, as viewed from the rearface side, of the body 231 and the receiving portion 4 in a state wherea holding member 5 is removed from the state illustrated in FIG. 12. Itis to be noted that S1 to S3 directions indicated in the figuresbeginning with FIG. 10 are same as the S1 to S3 directions describedhereinabove, respectively.

The rear case 22 includes the receiving portion 4 on which the key 23Ldescribed hereinabove is placed and another receiving portion (notshown) on which the key 23R is placed.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the receiving portion 4 includes uprightportions 41 (FIGS. 10 and 12) and 42 (FIG. 13) positioned on the leftside, a pedestal 43 (FIGS. 10 to 12) positioned centrally, bosses 44 and45 (FIGS. 11 and 13) formed below the pedestal 43, an elongated hole 46(FIG. 13), and a holding member 5 (FIGS. 10 to 12) secured to the boss49 and disposed on the right side with respect to the receiving portion4.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the upright portion 41 is formed such thatit is erected in an outward direction (to the rear face side) from theinner face of the rear face 22F. The upright portion 41 is formed from apair of restricting portions 411 and 412 which extend in the S1direction. When the key 23L is placed on the receiving portion 4, thestem 235 is disposed between the restricting portions 411 and 412.

The restricting portion 411 corresponds to a first restricting portionin the present invention. In a state wherein the key 23L is notdepressed, the restricting portion 411 is engaged with the stem 235 ofthe key 23L biased upwardly (in the S2 direction) by the rubber contact34 thereby to prevent letting off of the key 23L from the receivingportion 4.

On the other hand, when the key 23L is depressed at a substantiallycentral portion or a left portion thereof, the restricting portion 412is engaged with the stem 235 to stop movement of the key 23L by morethan an unnecessary amount.

The upright portion 42 is positioned on the opposite side to the uprightportion 41 with respect to the key 23L. In particular, while the uprightportion 41 is formed on the rear face 22F, the upright portion 42 isformed integrally on the inner face of the front face 22A as seen inFIG. 13. The upright portion 42 is formed from a pair of restrictingportions 421 and 422 which extend in an outward direction from the innerface of the front face 22A.

The restricting portion 421 corresponds to a first restricting portionin the present invention and extends in the leftward and rightwarddirection (S1 direction), and the restricting portion 422 is formed in asubstantially inverted T shape. The restricting portions 421 and 422 areformed at positions corresponding to the restricting portions 411 and412 and function similarly to the restricting portions 411 and 412,respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the pedestal 43 is formed in a flat plateextending along the leftward and rightward direction such that itprotrudes in an outward direction from the inner face of the front face22A. The contact substrate 33 and the rubber contact 34 describedhereinabove are disposed on an upper face of the pedestal 43.

The bosses 44 and 45 are provided in a projecting manner in asubstantially cylindrical shape on the inner face of the front face 22Aas seen in FIG. 13 and are used to attach the holding member 5 to theinner face of the front face 22A.

The boss 44 has a threaded hole 441 open toward the rear side, and ascrew 47 (FIGS. 11 and 12) for securing the holding member 5 is screwedin the threaded hole 441 from the rear face side.

The boss 45 has an outer diametrical dimension smaller than that of theboss 44 and is fitted in a hole 52 formed in the holding member 5 toposition the holding member 5.

The elongated hole 46 is formed on the inner face of the front face 22Aas seen in FIG. 13 and has the stem 234 inserted therein. The elongatedhole 46 has an end edge formed from a pair of guide portions 461individually extending in the S2 direction and a pair of restrictingportions 462 and 463 individually extending in the S1 direction andconnecting the free end sides and the base end sides of the guideportions 461 in the S2 direction to each other.

The guide portions 461 which sandwich the stem 234 therebetween guidemovement of the stem 234 along the S2 direction while restrictingmovement of the stem 234 in the S1 direction.

The restricting portions 462 and 463 define a range of movement of thestem 234, and the restricting portion 462 on the free end side in the S2direction is engaged with the stem 234, which moves in the S2 directionby the biasing force of the rubber contact 34, to restrict jumping outof the key 23L from the rear case 22. Such a restricting portion 462 asjust described corresponds to a second restricting portion in thepresent invention.

Configuration of the Holding Member

The holding member 5 is a member formed from a synthetic resin or ametal in a substantially L shape as viewed from the rear face side, andrestricts letting off of the key 23L to the outside of the rear case 22and guides the protruding and retreating movements of the key 23L. Thisholding member 5 has holes 51 and 52, and an elongated hole 53 having anend edge defined by the guide portions 54 and restricting portions 55and 56 as seen in FIGS. 10 to 12.

The hole 51 is positioned at a left end of the holding member 5 and isformed such that it has an inner diameter smaller on the front face sidethan on the rear face side. The screw 47 described hereinabove forsecuring the boss 44 (FIG. 11) to the holding member 5 is fitted in thehole 51.

The boss 45 (FIGS. 11 and 12) for positioning the holding member 5 isfitted in the hole 52.

The elongated hole 53 corresponds to an elongated hole in the presentinvention together with the elongated hole 46. This elongated hole 53 isformed substantially in a rectangular shape, and the stem 234 is fittedin the elongated hole 53. Guide portions 54 which form left and rightend edges of the elongated hole 53 are formed along the upward anddownward direction (direction in which the key 23L protrudes andretreats). The distance between the guide portions 54 is setapproximately to a dimension of the sum of the outer diametricaldimension of the stem 234 and a predetermined clearance. The guideportions 54 guide the stem 234 for movement in the direction reverse tothe S2 direction when the key 23L is depressed at a substantiallycentral portion or a right end thereof and besides restrict movement ofthe stem 234 in the S1 direction.

The restricting portion 55 positioned upwardly of the stem 234 frombetween the restricting portions 55 and 56 which form the upper andlower end edges of the elongated hole 53 corresponds to a secondrestricting portion in the present invention.

The restricting portion 55 is engaged, in a state wherein the key 23L isnot depressed, with the stem 234 pushed up by the biasing force of therubber contact 34 described hereinabove and restricts protrusion of thekey 23L by more than a necessary amount and letting off of the key 23Lfrom the receiving portion 4 similarly to the restricting portion 462described hereinabove.

Further, when the key 23L is depressed at a central portion or a rightend thereof and moved, the stem 234 is engaged with the restrictingportion 56 to restrict movement of the key 23L by more than a necessaryamount.

Operation of the Key when Depressed

In the following, operation of the key 23L when it is depressed isdescribed.

FIG. 14 is a view of the key 23L when the upper face 23A is depressed ata central portion thereof as viewed from the rear face side.

If the upper face 23A is depressed at a central portion thereof in theleftward and rightward direction from the state illustrated in FIG. 12(from a non-depressed state), then the entire key 23L moves in thedepression direction as seen in FIG. 14. Thereupon, the stem 234 ismoved downwardly along the guide portions 461 and the guide portions 54from a position in which it contacts with the restricting portion 462and the restricting portion 55. Meanwhile, the stem 235 is moveddownwardly from a state wherein it contacts with the restrictingportions 411 and 421. By such movement of the key 23L, the pressingportion 233 presses the contact substrate 33 through the rubber contact34.

It is to be noted that, if the depression of the key 23L is canceled,then the key 23L is pushed up by the biasing force of the rubber contact34 thereby to return the key 23L to the non-depressed state.

FIG. 15 is a view of the key 23L when the upper face 23A is depressed ata left portion thereof (right portion in FIG. 15) as viewed from therear side.

If the upper face 23A is depressed at a left portion thereof from thestate illustrated in FIG. 12, then the key 23L is pivoted in thedepression direction around the stem 234, which is in a state wherein itcontacts with the restricting portions 462 and 55 by the biasing forceof the rubber contact 34, as seen in FIG. 15, and the pressing portion233 pushes the contact substrate 33 through the rubber contact 34.Thereupon, since movement of the stem 234 in the leftward and rightwarddirections is restricted by the guide portions 461 and 54, the stem 234moves neither downwardly nor leftwardly or rightwardly. However, thestem 235 which has been in contact with the restricting portions 411 and421 moved downwardly while drawing an arcuate trajectory.

It is to be noted that, if the depression of the key 23L is canceled inthis state, then also the stem 235 side is pushed up by the biasingforce of the rubber contact 34, and consequently, the key 23L returns tothe non-depressed state.

FIG. 16 is a view of the key 23L when the upper face 23A is depressed ata right portion (left portion in FIG. 16) thereof.

If the upper face 23A is depressed at a right portion thereof from thestate illustrated in FIG. 12, then the key 23L is pivoted in thedepression direction around the stem 235, which is in a state wherein itcontacts with the restricting portions 411 and 421 by the biasing forceof the rubber contact 34, and the pressing portion 233 presses thecontact substrate 33 through the rubber contact 34. Thereupon, althoughthe stem 234 is restricted from movement in the leftward and rightwarddirections by the guide portions 461 and 54, since the stem 235 is notrestricted from movement in the leftward and rightward directions, thestem 235 is displaced in a direction in which it is spaced away from thestem 234 (left direction) while it remains in contact with therestricting portions 411 and 421 as the stem 234 moves downwardly alongthe guide portions 461 and 54. Therefore, even in the state wherein thekey 23L is depressed at a right portion thereof, the pivotal motion ofthe key 23L is carried out without a trouble.

It is to be noted that, if the depression of the key 23L is canceled inthis state, then also the stem 234 side is pushed up by the biasingforce of the rubber contact 34, and together with this, the stem 235moves in a direction in which it approaches the stem 234 while itremains in contact with the restricting portions 411 and 421.Consequently, the key 23L returns to the non-depressed state.

Configuration of the Contact Substrate

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the contact substrate 33.

The contact substrate 33 is pushed by the key 23L through the rubbercontact 34 to detect an input of the key 23L as described hereinabove.The contact substrate 33 has a substrate 331, and a first sheet, asecond sheet (both not shown) and a third sheet 335 formed by laminationon the substrate 331. The first sheet is formed on the substrate 331 andthe third sheet 335 forms an outer surface of the contact substrate 33.

The first sheet includes a first contact 332 and a second contact 333formed in a spaced relationship by a predetermined distance from eachother and individually having conductivity. Each of the contacts 332 and333 is an electrode formed in a substantially L shape as viewed in planat a substantially central portion of the first sheet and having a sideextending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 331, and isconnected to the control substrate 31 through the FPC 32. Thislongitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction(leftward and rightward direction) of the key 23L. The contacts 332 and333 are formed such that the sides of the L shape thereof extendsubstantially in parallel to each other and are spaced from each other.

The second sheet is a sheet made of a synthetic resin and havingnon-conductivity and protects the first sheet, and besides functions asa spacer for spacing the contacts 332 and 333 described hereinabove andthird contacts 336 hereinafter described from each other. A pair ofopenings 334 having the center between the contacts 332 and 333 andextending to the outer sides of the contacts 332 and 333 are formed atpositions of the second sheet which correspond to portions in theproximity of the opposite ends of the contacts 332 and 333 in thelongitudinal direction.

The third sheet 335 includes a pair of third contacts 336 formed from amaterial having conductivity (for example, from carbon), and the thirdcontacts 336 are positioned in the openings 334. While the paired thirdcontacts 336 are formed across the first contact 332 and the secondcontact 333, they are disposed in a spaced relationship by apredetermined distance from the contacts 332 and 333 by the second sheetdescribed above. The third contacts 336 are depressed, upon depressionof the key 23L, by the pressing portions 342 of the rubber contact 34 toelectrically connect the first contact 332 and the second contact 333 toeach other. It is to be noted that the position of the centers of thepressing portions 342 is set to a position substantially same as theposition of the centers of the third contacts 336, and the dimension ofthe pressing portions 342 is set a little smaller than the dimension ofthe third contacts 336.

In particular, when the key 23L is depressed at a substantially centralportion thereof, the third contacts 336 are pushed by the pressingportions 342, and consequently, the first contact 332 and the secondcontact 333 are electrically connected to each other through the thirdcontacts 336.

On the other hand, if the key 23L is depressed at one of the oppositeends thereof in the longitudinal direction, then a corresponding one ofthe third contacts 336 is pushed by the corresponding pressing portion342, and the first contact 332 and the second contact 333 areelectrically connected to each other through the corresponding thirdcontact 336.

If the first contact 332 and the second contact 333 are connected toeach other through the third contact or contacts 336 in this manner,then current flowing to one of the first contact 332 and the secondcontact 333 flows also to the other of the first contact 332 and thesecond contact 333. Consequently, the current is outputted as anelectric signal representing that the key 23L is inputted to the controlsubstrate 31 to which the first contact 332 and the second contact 333are connected through the FPC 32.

It is to be noted that the key 23R and the receiving portion and thecontact substrate which are provided corresponding to the key 23R havesimilar configurations to those of the key 23L, receiving portion 4 andcontact substrate 33, respectively, except that they are disposed in aleftwardly and rightwardly symmetrical relationship, and therefore,overlapping description of them is omitted herein to avoid redundancy.Also operation of the components mentioned when the key 23R is depressedis similar to that upon depression of the key 23L except that also theoperation is carried out in a leftwardly and rightwardly symmetricalrelationship, and therefore, overlapping description of the operation isomitted herein to avoid redundancy.

With the portable electronic apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment described above, the following effects are achieved. It is tobe noted that effects achieved by the key 23L are achieved similarly bythe key 23R which has a configuration similar to that of the key 23Lexcept that the key 23R is leftwardly and rightwardly symmetrical to thekey 23L.

The key 23L has the extensions 232 which extend to the outside of theopening 22B4 along the upper face 22B from the opposite end of the body231 whose one end (pressing portion 233) is fitted in the opening 22B4formed on the upper face 22B. With the configuration just described, thearea of the upper face 23A of the key 23L which is exposed to theoutside of the rear case 22, that is, the area of the upper face 23Awhich opposes to a finger of the user, can be increased. Therefore, thekey 23L can increase the area over which the key 23L can be depressed bya finger of the user in comparison with another key which does not havethe extension 232. Further, since the contact area with a finger can beincreased, depression and inputting of the key 23L can be carried outwith certainty. Accordingly, the operability of the portable electronicapparatus 1 can be improved.

Further, since the extension 232 is formed so as to extend to theoutside from the end edge of the opening 22B4, there is no necessity toform the opening 22B4 in a large size in accordance with the area of theupper face 23A. Therefore, the thicknesswise dimension of the rear case22 can be reduced in comparison with that in an alternative case whereina key corresponding to the opening area of the opening 22B4 is disposed.Accordingly, reduction in thickness of the portable electronic apparatus1 can be anticipated.

Further, since the extension direction of the extension 232 from thebody 231 is the direction toward the rear face 22F side, interference ofthe extension 232 and hence of the key 23L with the front case 21positioned on the front face side can be prevented and a finger whichoperates the key 23L can be suppressed from interfering with the frontcase 21. In addition, since a clearance suitable for the frameworkmember 220 is assured between the key 23L and the front case 21,interference between the finger and the front case 21 can be furthersuppressed. Accordingly, the operability of the portable electronicapparatus 1 can be further improved.

Since the rear case 22 is formed in a substantially flattenedconfiguration having a substantially oval shape as viewed in frontelevation, the user can grasp the rear case 22 in such a manner thatfingers (for example, forefingers) thereof extend along the left andright side faces 22D and 22E, and consequently, the rear case 22 can begrasped readily. Further, where the rear case 22 is grasped in thismanner, since the keys 23L and 23R are positioned at the opposite leftand right ends of the upper face 22B on which the fingertips of thefingers are positioned, the keys 23L and 23R can be depressed readily.Further, since the keys 23L and 23R have the configuration describedabove, they can be depressed with certainty without depending upon themanner of engagement of the fingers. Accordingly, the operability of theportable electronic apparatus 1 can be improved.

Where the upper face 23A of the key 23L is inclined in a direction inwhich it is spaced away from the upper face 22B toward the rear face22F, an end of the upper face 23A on the rear face 22F side protrudesfrom the upper face 22B without extending along the outer shape of therear case 22. In this instance, since it becomes less easy for thefingers to extend along the rear case 22, it becomes less easy to graspthe rear case 22 and carry out an inputting operation of the key 23L.

In contrast, since the upper face 23A is inclined in a direction inwhich it approaches the upper face 22B (offset portion 22B5) toward therear face 22F, the upper face 23A extends along the outer shape of therear case 22, and consequently, the user can extend the fingers alongthe rear case 22 readily. Accordingly, the rear case 22 and hence theportable electronic apparatus 1 can be grasped easily and an inputtingoperation of the key 23L can be carried out easily.

Where an end of the extension 232 on the rear face 22F side otherwiseprotrudes to the rear face side from the rear face 22F, if the portableelectronic apparatus 1 is disposed such that the rear face 22F opposesto the installation face (the leg portions 22F1 contact with theinstallation face), then the key 23L contacts with the installationface. In this instance, the load of the portable electronic apparatus 1is applied to the key 23L, and the load to the key 23L increases.

In contrast, since an end of the extension 232 on the rear face 22F sideis positioned on the front face 22A side with respect to the rear face22F, even if the portable electronic apparatus 1 is disposed in such amanner as described above, the key 23L can be prevented from contactingwith the installation face. Accordingly, application of a load to thekey 23L can be prevented.

Since the extension 232 is formed such that it covers the offset portion22B5 formed in conformity with the opening 22B4, the stroke value of thekey 23L can be assured with the offset between the upper face 22B andthe offset portion 22B5. With the configuration just described, there isno necessity to cause the key 23L to protrude unnecessarily from theupper face 22B in order to assure the stroke amount. Accordingly,miniaturization of the portable electronic apparatus 1 can beanticipated.

Further, since the upper face 23A of the key 23L protrudes to the outerside of the rear case 22 from the upper face 22B, upon depression of thekey 23L, the entire key 23L can be prevented from being fully retractedinto the upper face 22B, and consequently, the key 23L can be preventedfrom being placed into a state wherein it cannot be depressedsuccessively. Accordingly, the operability of the portable electronicapparatus 1 can be improved further.

In the state wherein the key 23L is not depressed, the stem 234 contactswith the restricting portions 411 and 421 and the stem 235 contacts withthe restricting portions 462 and 55 by the biasing force of the rubbercontact 34, and consequently, letting off of the key 23L from the rearcase 22 can be prevented.

If the upper face 23A is depressed at a substantially central portionthereof in the leftward and rightward direction, the movement of the key23L in the depression direction is guided by the guide portions 461 and54 by which the stem 234 is sandwiched. Thereupon, rocking motion of thekey 23L in the leftward or rightward direction can be restricted by theguide portions 461 and 54. Further, also where the upper face 23A isdepressed at a left end side portion or a right end side portionthereof, rocking motion of the key 23L in the leftward and rightwarddirections can be restricted by the guide portions 461 and 54.

Accordingly, at whichever position the key 23L is depressed, rockingmotion of the key 23L in the leftward and rightward directions (S1direction) according to protruding or retreating movement of the key 23Lcan be suppressed. Consequently, an inputting operation of the key 23Lcan be carried out with certainty and the operation of the key 23L canbe stabilized. Furthermore, since the key 23L carries out movement orrocking motion in the depression direction in response to the depressionposition, there is no necessity to provide a long guide along which theentire key is to be moved in the depression direction. Accordingly, theportable electronic apparatus 1 can be further reduced in size.

Since the holding member 5 secured to the receiving portion 4 and theinner face of the front face 22A have the guide portions 54 and 461,respectively, and the key 23L has the stem 234, in comparison with analternative case wherein the rear case 22 has a stem and the key 23L hasa guide portion, miniaturization of the key 23L can be anticipated.Consequently, the range of movement of the key 23L can be reduced, andminiaturization of the rear case 22 can be anticipated. Accordingly, theportable electronic apparatus 1 can be further reduced in size.

Further, since the stem 235 is restricted from movement in the S2direction by the restricting portions 411 and 421 positioned on the rearface side and the front face side, rattling of the key 23L can besuppressed and besides the pivotal motion of the key 23L where it isdepressed at an end thereof on the stem 234 side can be stabilized.Similarly, since the stem 234 is guided for movement in the S2 directionby the guide portions 461 which sandwich an end of the stem 234 on thefront face side and the guide portions 54 which sandwich an end of thestem 234 on the rear face side, the movement of the stem 234 can bestabilized. Accordingly, operation of the key 23L can be stabilized.

Since the guide portions 461 and the restricting portions 462 and 463are formed as end edges of the elongated hole 46 and the guide portions54 and the restricting portions 55 and 56 are formed as end edges of theelongated hole 53, the guide portions 461 and 54 and the restrictingportions 462, 463 and 55, 56 can be formed readily and besides theconfiguration of the receiving portion 4 and hence of the inner face ofthe rear case 22 can be simplified.

Further, since the restricting portions 411 and 421 are formedintegrally on the inner face of the rear case 22, they can be formedsimply and readily and the configuration of the rear case 22 can befurther simplified. Furthermore, since the restricting portions 411 and421 are formed so as to extend along the S1 direction, when the key 23Lis depressed at an end thereof on the stem 234 side, the contactingstate between the stem 235 which moves in a direction in which it isspaced away from the stem 234 and the restricting portions 411 and 421can be maintained. Consequently, pivotal motion of the key 23L aroundthe stem 235 can be carried out smoothly.

The stem 234 is disposed at a position of the upper face 22B rather nearto the center with respect to the stem 235 when the key 23L is disposedon the receiving portion 4. Since the opposite ends of, the stem 234 aresandwiched by the guide portions 461 and 54, respectively, upon movementand pivotal motion of the key 23L, the stem 234 does not substantiallymove in the leftward and rightward direction (S1 direction). Therefore,when the key 23L is pivoted around the stem 235, movement of the stem234 in the leftward and rightward direction is not restricted, and theclearance between the end (right end) of the key on the stem 234 sideand the upper face 22B (end edge of the opening 22B4) can be furtherreduced in comparison with that in an alternative case wherein the key23L is pivoted such that an end thereof on the stem 234 side moves alongan arcuate trajectory. Accordingly, the dimension of the upper face 22Bcan be reduced, and hence, further miniaturization of the portableelectronic apparatus 1 can be anticipated.

The key 23L is disposed such that it extends between and over the upperface 22B and the left side face 22D, and the upper face 23A is formedfrom the face 23A1 extending along the upper face 22B and the face 23A2extending along the left side face 22D. According to this configuration,the fingers which grasp the rear case 22 can extend readily along thekey 23L. Accordingly, the key 23L can be depressed with a higher degreeof certainty, and the operability of the portable electronic apparatus 1can be further improved. Furthermore, since the shape of the key 23Lexposed to the outside of the rear case 22 extends along the shape ofthe rear case 22, a good appearance of the portable electronic apparatus1 can be assured.

2. Second Embodiment

Now, a portable digital assistant 1A according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention is described.

The portable electronic apparatus 1A according to the present embodimenthas a configuration similar to that of the portable electronic apparatus1 of the first embodiment described above. However, the portableelectronic apparatus 1A of the present embodiment is different from theportable electronic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in that, while,in the portable electronic apparatus 1 described above, the contactsubstrate 33 includes the first contact 332 and the second contact 333which individually have a substantially L shape, a contact substrate 35of the portable electronic apparatus 1A includes a first contact and asecond contact of a comb-tooth shape disposed in an opposingrelationship to each other. It is to be noted that, in the followingdescription, like elements or substantially like elements to thosedescribed hereinabove are denoted by like reference characters andoverlapping description of them is omitted herein to avoid redundancy.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the contact substrate 35 of the portableelectronic apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment.

The portable electronic apparatus 1A of the present embodiment has aconfiguration similar to that of the portable electronic apparatus 1described hereinabove except that it includes the contact substrate 35and a rubber contact 36 in place of the contact substrate 33 and therubber contact 34. Further, the rubber contact 36 has a configurationsimilar to that of the rubber contact 34 except that it includes atransversely elongated pressing portion 362 conforming to the contactingface with the pressing portion 233 in place of a pair of pressingportions 342.

As shown in FIG. 18, the contact substrate 35 has a substrate 351, and afirst sheet, a second sheet (both not shown) and a third sheet 355laminated on the substrate 351.

The first sheet laminated on the substrate 351 has a first contact 352and a second contact 353 which are electrodes each having a comb-toothshape and disposed in a spaced relationship from and in an opposingrelationship to each other. The first contact 352 and the second contact353 have, at the opposite ends thereof in a direction corresponding tothe longitudinal direction of the substrate 351, that is, at theopposite ends thereof in a direction corresponding to the longitudinaldirection of the key 23L, extensions 3521 and 3531 which extendsubstantially in parallel to each other.

The second sheet has a function similar to that of the second sheetdescribed hereinabove and is adhered to the first sheet. The secondsheet has a substantially oval opening 354 elongated along thelongitudinal direction of the substrate 351 (which coincides with thelongitudinal directions of the keys 23L and 23R) within ranges withinwhich the first contact 352 and the second contact 353 are formed.

The third sheet 355 is adhered to the second sheet and forms an outersurface of the contact substrate 35. The third sheet 355 has a thirdcontact 356 formed at a position corresponding to the opening 354 andformed from a material (for example, carbon) having conductivity.

The third contact 356 is formed in a substantially oval shape inaccordance with the shape of the opening 354 and is disposed in a spacedrelationship by a predetermined distance from the contacts 352 and 353such that it extends across the first contact 352 and the second contact353. The third contact 356 is abutted by a pressing portion 362 formed alittle smaller than the third contact 356 and in a transverselyelongated shape such that the longitudinal directions thereof coincidewith each other. If the third contact 356 is depressed by the pressingportion 362, then it electrically connects the first contact 352 and thesecond contact 353 to each other.

In the contact substrate 35 having such a configuration as describedabove, even if the key 23L is depressed at one end or the opposite endthereof and the contact 352 or 353 is depressed in a region Ar1 or Ar2corresponding to the one end or the other end of the key 23L by thecorresponding pressing portion 362, the extensions 3521 and 3531 areelectrically connected to each other through the third contact 356. Evenif the key 23L is depressed at a central portion thereof and thecontacts 352 and 353 are depressed at central portions thereof by thepressing portion 362, the contacts 352 and 353 are electricallyconnected to each other through the third contact 356. Consequently,current flowing to one of the contacts 352 and 353 flows to the otherone of the contacts 352 and 353 and is outputted as an electric signalto the control substrate 31, and the control substrate 31 recognizesthat the key 23L is depressed.

With the portable electronic apparatus 1A according to the presentembodiment described above, similar effects to those of the portableelectronic apparatus 1 described hereinabove are achieved.

It is to be noted that, while the rubber contact 36 of the portableelectronic apparatus 1A includes the transversely elongated pressingportion 362, it may otherwise be configured such that it includes a pairof pressing portions similarly to the rubber contact 34 describedhereinabove. In this instance, the rubber contact 36 may be configuredsuch that the pressing portions are disposed at positions at which theycover at least the third contact 356 in the regions Ar1 and Ar2.

3. Modifications to the Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,but all modifications, improvements and so forth which fall within thescope thereof within which the object of the present invention can beachieved are included in the present invention.

While, in the embodiments described above, the keys 23L and 23R areprovided at the opposite ends of the upper face 22B in the leftward andrightward direction, the present invention is not limited to this, andthe keys 23L and 23R may be disposed at a central portion of the upperface 22B or on some other side face. In other words, the dispositionposition and the number of keys may be set suitably, and also thelongitudinal directions of the keys may not coincide with the leftwardand rightward direction of the housing. Further, the keys may beprovided on the front case 21.

While, in the embodiments described above, the rear case 22 as a housingincludes the front face 22A, the rear face 22F and the upper face 228,lower face 22C and left and right side faces 220 and 22E which connectthe front face 22A and the rear face 22F to each other and is formed ina substantially flattened configuration of a substantially oval shape asviewed in front elevation, the present invention is not limited to this.In particular, the housing may be in a substantially rectangular shapeor a substantially circular shape as viewed in front elevation and mayhave any shape. It is to be noted that preferably the housing has ashape and a size with which it can be grasped at least by one hand.

Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the front case 21 isprovided for sliding movement with respect to the rear case 22, thepresent invention is not limited to this and the front case 21 and therear case 22 may be formed as an integrated unitary housing.

Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the upper face 23Aof the key 23 is inclined in a direction in which it approaches theoffset portion 22B5 of the upper face 22B toward the rear face 22F, thepresent invention is not limited to this. In particular, the face of thekey 23 extending along a side face an which the LR keys 23 are disposedmay extend substantially in parallel to the side face or may be inclinedin a direction in which it is spaced away from the side face toward therear face. Further, also the extension direction of the extension 232 isnot limited to the direction toward the rear face 22F side, but may be,for example, a direction toward the side face side which approaches thekey 23 and may be any direction.

While, in the embodiments described above, an end of the extension 232on the rear face 22F side, that is, an end on the tip end side in theextension direction, is positioned on the front face 22A side withrespect to the rear face 22F, the present invention is not limited tothis. In particular, the end mentioned may be positioned on the rearface side with respect to the rear face 22F.

Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the key 23L has asubstantially L shape such that it extends between and over the upperface 22B and the left side face 22D, the present invention is notlimited to this but may be formed such that it is disposed on only oneof the upper face 22B and the left side face 22D. It is to be noted thatthis similarly applies also to the key 23R.

While, in the embodiments described above, the upper face 22B has theoffset portion 22B5 which is concave toward the inner side of the rearcase 22 from the upper face 22B, the present invention is not limited tothis, and the offset portion 22B5 need not be provided. In thisinstance, only it is necessary for the extension 232 of the key 23 toextend to the outer side farther than the end edge of the opening 22B4.

Further, while, in the embodiments described above, the upper face 23Aprotrudes to the outer side with respect to the upper face 22B, that is,to a position higher than the upper face 22B, the present invention isnot limited to this. For example, the upper face 23A before depressionmay be in flush with the upper face 22B or may be retracted from theupper face 22B.

While, in the embodiments described above, the offset portion 22B5formed on the upper face 22B is formed on the rear face side withrespect to the opening 22B4, the present invention is not limited tothis. In particular, the position of the offset portion 22B5 coveredwith the extension 232 may be the front face side of the opening 22B4 orthe offset portion 22B5 may be formed on both of the front face side andthe rear face side. Similarly, also the extension direction of theextension 232 from the body 231 may not be the rear face side directionbut may be the front face side direction.

While, in the embodiments described above, the stem 234 as the secondstem functions as a second stem guided by the guide portions 54 and 461,the present invention is not limited to this. In particular, guideportions may be provided in such a manner as to sandwich an end of thestem 235 so as to function as the second stem. Further, in addition tothe stems 234 and 235, a different stem which functions as the firststem or the second stem may be provided on the key or guide portionswhich sandwich the stem may be further provided on the rear case. Inthis instance, the positions of the stem and the guide portions may beset suitably. It is to be noted that this similarly applies not only tothe key 23L but also to the key 23R.

While, in the embodiments described above, the key 23L has the stem 234which functions as the second stem and the receiving portion 4 and theholding member 5 have the guide portions 461 and 54, the presentinvention is not limited to this. For example, the key may have a guideportion and the rear case as a housing may have a stem guided by theguide portion. Further, the guide portions disposed in an opposingrelationship with each other with the key interposed therebetween may beformed on the inner face of the rear case 22, or may be provided onmembers attached to the rear case 22 like the holding member 5. It is tobe noted that the foregoing applies not only to the key 23L and thereceiving portion 4 but also the key 23R and the receiving portion atwhich the key 23R is disposed.

While, in the embodiments described above, the guide portions 461 and 54which sandwich the end of the stem 234 are provided on the front face22A side and the rear face 22F side with the key 23L interposedtherebetween and the restricting portions 462 and 55 for restrictingprotrusion of the stem 234 in the S2 direction are similarly provided onthe front face 22A side and the rear face 22F side with the key 23Linterposed therebetween and besides the restricting portions 421 and 411which restrict protrusion of the stem 235 in the S2 direction areprovided on the front face 22A side and the rear face 22F side with thekey 23L interposed therebetween, the present invention is not limited tothis. In other words, the guide portions and the restricting portionswhich engage with the stem 234 and the restricting portions which engagewith the stem 235 may be provided on at least one of the front face sideand the rear face side.

While, in the embodiments described above, the restricting portions 421and 411 are formed integrally on the inner faces of the front face 22Aand the rear face 22F, the present invention is not limited to this andthe restricting portions 421 and 411 may be positioned in the rear case22.

While, in the embodiments described above, the guide portions 461 andthe restricting portions 462 and 463 form an end edge of the elongatedhole 46 into which the stem 234 is inserted and the guide portions 54and the restricting portions 55 and 56 form an end edge of the elongatedhole 53 into which the stem 234 is also inserted, the present inventionis not limited to this. In particular, the guide portions and therestricting portions may be disposed in a spaced relationship from eachother.

While, in the embodiments described above, the portable electronicapparatus 1 which can process a game program, image data and sound datais taken as an example of a controller and a portable electronicapparatus of the present invention, the present invention is not limitedto this. For example, also it is possible to apply the present inventionto a controller connected to a game machine, a PC or the like of thestationary type. Further, the portable electronic apparatus may be ofthe type which can process at least one of a game program, image dataand sound data or of the type which can execute a different applicationprogram. In particular, the present invention can be applied to anyportable electronic apparatus which can be carried and can process someprogram and data, and the present invention may be applied to a digitalcamera and so forth. It is to be noted that, where the present inventionis applied to a digital camera, the key in the present invention may bea shutter key.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alternations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalent thereof.

1. A controller, comprising: a housing; and a key for inputting providedfor protruding and retreating movement on said housing; said housinghaving a front face, a rear face, and an upper face which connects saidfront face and said rear face to each other and which is disposed at anupper position when the housing is grasped; said key having a bodyhaving one end inserted in an opening formed in said upper face of saidhousing and another end exposed to an outside of said housing, and anextension extending along said upper face of said housing from the otherend of said body to the outside farther than an end edge of saidopening, said upper face of said housing having an offset portion beingformed at least on a side of said front face and on a side of said rearface with respect to said opening and being concave toward an inner sideof said housing, and said extension being formed to cover said offsetportion.
 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein said housing isformed in a substantially flattened configuration having a substantiallyoval shape as viewed in front elevation and said key is provided atleast at one of the opposite ends of said upper face of said housing inthe leftward and rightward direction when said housing is grasped. 3.The controller according to claim 1, wherein an upper face of said keyis inclined in a direction in which the upper face of said keyapproaches said upper face of said housing toward said rear face of saidhousing.
 4. The controller according to claim 1, wherein an end of saidkey on said rear face side is positioned on said front face side withrespect to said rear face.
 5. The controller according to claim 1,wherein an upper face of said key projects to the outside of saidhousing from said upper face of said housing.
 6. The controlleraccording to claim 1, wherein said key has: a body formed in atransversely elongated configuration elongated in a first direction; anda first stem positioned on one end side of said body in the firstdirection and extending along a third direction which is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction and a second direction which is aprotruding direction of said key from said housing, and said housinghas: a biasing member for biasing said key in the second direction; anda first restricting portion positioned on the second direction side withrespect to said first stem for engaging with said first stem biased bysaid biasing member; and one of said key and said housing has a secondstem positioned on the other end side of the first direction andextending in the third direction while the other of said key and saidhousing has a guide portion which sandwiches an end of said second stemfor guiding movement of said second stem in the second direction and asecond restricting portion for engaging with said second stem biased bysaid biasing member.
 7. The controller according to claim 6, whereinsaid housing has said guide portion and said key has said second stem.8. The controller according to claim 7, wherein said housing has anelongated hole which has an end edge formed by said guide portion andsaid second restricting portion and in which said second stem isinserted.
 9. The controller according to claim 7, wherein at least oneof said first restricting portion, second restricting portion and guideportion is provided on the third direction side and the opposite side tothe third direction side with said key sandwiched therebetween.
 10. Thecontroller according to claim 6, wherein said first restricting portionis erected uprightly along the first direction from the inner face ofsaid housing and is formed integrally with said housing.
 11. Thecontroller according to claim 6, wherein said housing is formed in asubstantially flattened configuration having a substantially oval shapeas viewed in front elevation; and said key is disposed at least at oneof the opposite ends in a leftward and rightward direction of said upperface of said housing when said housing is grasped so that said firstdirection coincides with the leftward and rightward direction.
 12. Thecontroller according to claim 11, wherein said second stem is disposedat a position rather near to the center of said upper face of saidhousing.
 13. The controller according to claim 11, wherein said key isdisposed so as to extend between and over said upper face of saidhousing and a side face of said housing which is contiguous to saidupper face of said housing and which connects said front face and saidrear face, and an upper face of said key has a first face extendingalong said upper face of said housing and a second face extending alongthe side face of the housing.
 14. A portable electronic apparatus,comprising: a controller, including: a housing; and a key for inputtingprovided for protruding and retreating movement on said housing; saidhousing having a front face, a rear face, and an upper face whichconnects said front face and said rear face to each other and which isdisposed at an upper position when the housing is grasped; said keyhaving a body having one end inserted in an opening formed in said upperface of said housing and another end exposed to an outside of saidhousing, and an extension extending along said upper face of saidhousing from the other end of said body to the outside farther than anend edge of said opening, said upper face of said housing having anoffset portion being formed at least on a side of said front face and ona side of said rear face with respect to said opening and being concavetoward an inner side of said housing, and said extension being formed tocover said offset portion.
 15. A portable electronic apparatus,comprising: a controller including a housing, and a key for inputtingprovided for protruding and retreating movement on said housing, saidhousing having a front face, a rear face, and an upper face whichconnects said front face and said rear face to each other and which isdisposed at an upper position when said housing is grasped, where saidkey has: a body being elongated in a first direction and having one endand another end which are defined in a second direction which isperpendicular to the first direction and which coincides with aprotruding direction of said key, the one end being inserted in anopening formed in said upper face of said housing, the other end beingexposed to an outside of said housing; an extension extending along saidupper face of said housing from the other end of said body defined inthe second direction to the outside farther than an end edge of saidopening; and a first stem positioned on one end side of said body in thefirst direction and extending along a third direction which issubstantially perpendicular to the first direction and the seconddirection, said upper face of said housing has an offset portion beingformed at least on a side of said front face and on a side of said rearface with respect to said opening and being concave toward an inner sideof said housing, and said housing has: a biasing member for biasing saidkey in the second direction; and a first restricting portion positionedon the second direction side with respect to said first stem forengaging with said first stem biased by said biasing member, and one ofsaid key and said housing has a second stem positioned on the other endside of the first direction and extending in the third direction whilethe other of said key and said housing has a guide portion whichsandwiches an end of said second stem for guiding movement of saidsecond stem in the second direction and a second restricting portion forengaging with said second stem biased by said biasing member.